A professional is someone who holds ethical standards, holds a specialized knowledge that comes from research and a high level of education and training, applies these skills in interest of others. The work of a doula can be involved in many experiences that involve ethical responsibility. At a minute, a professional doula should adhere to these values: honesty, respect for colleagues and clients, accountability, and equal treatment for clients and other members of the birth team (Elsayed, 2009).
A professional doula will put their clients and community needs before their own as an ultimate expression of their commitment to their profession.
- We commit to do our best to work in a framework of collaboration with other doula businesses or organizations, as this is what will best serve birth women and our communities.
- We commit to provide quality work and dedicate ourselves to the profession of a doula.
- We commit to adding to the doula profession’s current body of knowledge by gaining an education in our profession through certification, mentorship, or field experience, and by keeping up to date on literature regarding the role of a doula.
- We commit to providing care to our clients and community with “integrity and morality, altruism, and the promotion of the good of the public.”
- We commit to live by a set of ethical standards. At minimum these include honesty, respect for colleagues (including medical professionals) and clients, accountability, and equal treatment for clients and other members of the birth team.
- We will refer to another trained colleague when unavailable.
- We will keep client information confidential and honor HIPPA.
- We will follow up with client to ensure needs are being met/fulfilled.
- We will maintain personal hygiene, wear clean and professional clothing.
- We will make timely referrals to community resources.
- We will provide timely and consistent communication to client for the duration of the client agreement. Examples include contacting family within 24 hours of initial contract, scheduling timely meetings, being prepared and on time for meetings, being available during the on call period with a 2-hour response time and taking well-timed breaks.
- We respect and have knowledge of African descent cultural traditions for brith, diet, postpartum care, breastfeeding, and newborn care.